When discussing gun control these days it's almost like The Irresistible Force vs The Immovable Object. It seems like we're in permanent gridlock....no one is budging.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I own guns, enjoy shooting guns, and legally carry a gun. I'm a threat to NO ONE, unless they threaten me or a loved one. Then I feel I have the right to defend myself.
There are also people who own guns, enjoy shooting guns, and ILLEGALLY carry a gun, and they're a threat to EVERYBODY. I've said and written many times that these are the people we need to agree to disarm. And then we all smile, nod, say "great idea"....and do nothing. Except California.
I can't believe I'm giving a thumbs up to a gun law originating in California, but I am. I just saw a piece on TV about a program in CA that is cracking down on "armed prohibited persons". Specifically, the California Dept of Justice has a task force that cross-references five databases to find people who legally purchased guns but are prohibited by law from doing so. That's apparently how lax our current background check system is. These "prohibited persons" include felons, individuals with a history of violence, those who have a restraining order against them, those with severe mental illness, and wanted persons.
How could we all not agree on that? Seems to me these are the exact kind of people we need to disarm! The anti-gun controllers, however, seem to have their panties in a wad.
I can understand how the sight of law enforcement knocking on doors and then entering to confiscate guns could be frightening to Second Amendment supporters, which includes me. (Before the knock on the door the violators are notified by mail that they need to disarm and come clean.) And I can understand how they might be scared of a database that identifies who has guns and who doesn't. But we need to somehow balance that against the fact that 10,000 people have been hauled in for possessing 18,000 guns that they are already prohibited by law to have.
These people have already demonstrated they are either mentally ill or are a menace to society. It seems to me we need to find a way to reassure us law abiding gun owners that WE have nothing to fear, and then go after "armed prohibited persons" everywhere with a vengeance. They are the problem, not us.
S
Might be hard since Trump made it easier for mentally ill people to buy guns.
ReplyDeleteWell perhaps a talking point distraction
Deletehttps://reason.com/blog/2018/02/15/no-trump-did-not-make-it-easier-for-ment
Very interesting link. Like I said in a previous post, the conflict between any meaningful gun reform and individual rights is going to be darn near impossible to conquer. We can't just ignore the Constitutional Right of due process.
DeleteNo matter how you rationalize "talking point distractions," the fact remains that there is a gun problem unique to this country. Mentally ill or not, no one - other than police and military - need assault weapons. The parents of Sandy Hook and Parkland could care less about "talking point distractions."
Deletehttps://www.snopes.com/trump-sign-bill-revoking-obama-era-gun-checks-people-mental-illnesses/
DeleteThanks Bill. The background check system in place now is inadequate. Too many disqualifying events, such a military dishonorable discharges, went unreported. That's why the "Fix NICS" legislation now proposed is IMO long overdue and a good thing.
DeleteI was in Base PX yesterday, gun rack almost empty. Just 4 rifles in 22LR only. They only had 4 pistols also mini CC 9mm and 10mm S&W and one 1911A1 45 auto. Things really changed in a year.
ReplyDeleteI went to a gun show last weekend and there were twice as many customers there as normally attend. They were buying for sure, but the total inventory was so much there wasn't a shortage of anything.
DeleteThumbs up to California!
ReplyDeleteThere will be meaningful gun legislation soon under the current administration.
ReplyDelete